US11973350B2 - Synchronization of signals transmitted over power lines - Google Patents
Synchronization of signals transmitted over power lines Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US11973350B2 US11973350B2 US17/225,885 US202117225885A US11973350B2 US 11973350 B2 US11973350 B2 US 11973350B2 US 202117225885 A US202117225885 A US 202117225885A US 11973350 B2 US11973350 B2 US 11973350B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- signals
- timing
- signal
- transmitter
- power line
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active, expires
Links
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 42
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009191 jumping Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
- H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
- H02J3/381—Dispersed generators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/02—Transmitters
- H04B1/04—Circuits
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B3/00—Line transmission systems
- H04B3/02—Details
- H04B3/32—Reducing cross-talk, e.g. by compensating
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B3/00—Line transmission systems
- H04B3/54—Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
- H02J13/00006—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
- H02J13/00007—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment using the power network as support for the transmission
- H02J13/00009—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment using the power network as support for the transmission using pulsed signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
- H02J2300/20—The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
- H02J2300/22—The renewable source being solar energy
- H02J2300/24—The renewable source being solar energy of photovoltaic origin
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/02—Transmitters
- H04B1/04—Circuits
- H04B2001/0491—Circuits with frequency synthesizers, frequency converters or modulators
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/56—Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
- Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
- Y04S40/00—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
- Y04S40/12—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
- Y04S40/121—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment using the power network as support for the transmission
Definitions
- the present disclosure generally relates to power line communications, and, more particularly, to synchronization of signals transmitted over closely disposed power lines to multiple groups of photovoltaic panels.
- Rapid Shutdown Systems have been used in power generation systems involving photovoltaic panels (e.g., solar panels).
- Rapid Shutdown System can be implemented by configuring a transmitter at a location away from the photovoltaic panels to control the photovoltaic panels.
- Each photovoltaic panel can have a Local Management Unit (LMU) that controls the operation of the photovoltaic panel.
- LMU Local Management Unit
- a watchdog of the local management unit can selectively turn on or off the photovoltaic panel.
- a string or array of the photovoltaic panels can be connected to power a direct current (DC) power line to provide the electric power generated by the string or array to an inverter that is configured at a convenient location away from the installation site of the photovoltaic panels (e.g., a rooftop).
- a power line communication (PLC) transmitter can transmit signals onto the power line for transmission to local management units configured on the photovoltaic panels. Each local management unit can decode the signals from the power line to perform requested actions, such as turning off the photovoltaic panel, continuing power generation, etc.
- PLC power line communication
- the PLC transmitter can transmit a keep-alive message to a Local Management Unit (LMU) to instruct the Local Management Unit (LMU) to continue the normal operation of its photovoltaic panel in generating and/or outputting electric power for a predetermined period of time.
- LMU Local Management Unit
- a watchdog of the Local Management Unit (LMU) is configured to automatically turn off its photovoltaic panel if another keep-alive message is not received to continue the normal operation of its photovoltaic panel.
- the transmitter can transmit an accelerated shutdown message to a Local Management Unit (LMU) to instruct the Local Management Unit (LMU) to immediately turn off its photovoltaic panel upon receiving the accelerated shutdown message.
- LMU Local Management Unit
- the photovoltaic panel(s) can be turned off rapidly via the transmission of the accelerated shutdown message.
- the photovoltaic panel can be turned off automatically for the lack of the keep-alive message by the watchdog of the Local Management Unit (LMU) within the predetermined period of time.
- remote shutdown can be implemented using watchdog techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,884,278, 7,807,919, 8,271,599, 9,124,139, 8,854,193, 9,377,765, 10,063,056, 8,933,321, 8,823,218, 9,397,612, 9,813,021, 10,256,770, and 10,312,857, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- a large installation of photovoltaic panels can involve multiple sets of power lines connected to multiple strings or groups of photovoltaic panels respectively.
- the power lines of the different strings or groups may be disposed in a vicinity of each other, such as sharing the same conduit or run next to each other in parallel over a distance.
- Such an arrangement can result in crosstalk, where changes in the magnetic field caused by a signal transmitted on one power line induces a corresponding signal on another closely disposed power line.
- the induced signal may cancel, weaken, or disrupt the signal transmitted in the parallel power line.
- the interference from the induced signal can result in errors in decoding signals and/or unintended behaviors.
- the present disclosure provides an exemplary technically improved power system which includes a transmitter having: an oscillator to generate a clock signal and synthesize frequencies used to modulate a message and to generate first signals to a first direct current power line; and a control circuit to adjust timing of the first signals in synchronization with second signals transmitted in a second direct current power line disposed in a vicinity of the first direct current power line, by synchronizing phase of the first and second signals or by transmitting the first and the second signals in separate time windows.
- a transmitter having: an oscillator to generate a clock signal and synthesize frequencies used to modulate a message and to generate first signals to a first direct current power line; and a control circuit to adjust timing of the first signals in synchronization with second signals transmitted in a second direct current power line disposed in a vicinity of the first direct current power line, by synchronizing phase of the first and second signals or by transmitting the first and the second signals in separate time windows.
- FIG. 1 shows a system configured to synchronize transmission of signals over power lines connected to photovoltaic panels according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 3 A and 3 B show timing diagrams of two of the transmitters according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a system operation according to embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the present disclosure relates to a power line communication.
- Various detailed embodiments of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative.
- each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
- FIG. 1 shows a system configured to synchronize transmission of signals over power lines connected to photovoltaic panels according to one embodiment.
- One approach is to transmit same signal, in phase, at the same time.
- Another approach is to transmit signals according to a synchronized time schedule at different time instances such that crosstalk does not interfere with each other.
- the transmission of signals by different transmitters can be synchronized for simultaneous actions, like synchronized swimmers performing a same action simultaneously.
- the transmission of signals by different transmitters can be synchronized for sequential actions according to coordinated timing, like synchronized swimmers jumping to the water in sequence according to a time schedule.
- the system of FIG. 1 has multiple groups ( 111 , 113 , 115 , . . . ) of photovoltaic panels.
- Each of the panel groups ( 111 , 113 , 115 , . . . ) can have one or more photovoltaic panels.
- the outputs of the photovoltaic panels in each group can be connected in parallel and/or in series to power a direct current (DC) power line.
- the DC powerlines ( 131 , 133 , 135 , . . . ) of the panel groups ( 111 , 113 , 115 , . . . ) run from the installation sites of the panel groups ( 111 , 113 , 115 , . . .
- the DC powerlines run through the centralized location to their respective loads, such as inverters, battery chargers, and/or a combiner that combines the powers from the different power lines as one output.
- Each of the photovoltaic panels in the panel groups can have a Local Management Unit (LMU).
- the Local Management Unit In response to an accelerated shutdown message received via a power line, the Local Management Unit (LMU) can turn off the respective photovoltaic panel by reducing the voltage in the photovoltaic panel and/or its output to below a threshold, and/or de-energizing the photovoltaic panel.
- a watchdog circuit of the Local Management Unit (LMU) can avoid turning off the respective photovoltaic panel for a predetermined period of time in absence of the shutdown message.
- Each of the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) is exemplarily coupled to a common ground ( 109 ) and configured to generate and transmit a keep-alive message for the watchdog circuits of the Local Management Units (LMUs).
- the keep-alive message is transmitted onto a power line (e.g., 131 , 133 , or 135 ).
- an inductive coupling between the transmitter (e.g., 101 , 103 , or 105 ) and a power line (e.g., 131 , 133 , or 135 ) can be used to induce signals on the power line (e.g., 131 , 133 , or 135 ) to transmit the keep-alive message.
- the transmitters can be configured to transmit the keep-alive message into the power line (e.g., 131 , 133 , or 135 ) via direct connections.
- the signals of a message transmitted by a transmitter can be generated via spread frequency shift keying (S-FSK).
- S-FSK spread frequency shift keying
- a continuous wave signal of an intermediate frequency (IF) can synthesize a first frequency (Mark Frequency) and a second frequency (Space Frequency), which are modulated by a state machine through a multiplexer to implement S-FSK and form a message (e.g., containing 33-bit data in the form of three, eleven-bit words) that is transmitted over a first time period (e.g., 168 ms) (transmission period) followed by a second time period of transmission silence (e.g., 901 ms) (silence period).
- first time period e.g., 168 ms
- second time period of transmission silence e.g., 901 ms
- the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) can be configured to transmit different messages having different data encoded using S-FSK.
- the messages can include keep-alive, accelerated shutdown, permission to operate, having permission to operate, and/or having no permission to operate, and/or proprietary messages in proprietary formats and/or proprietary modulation methods, etc.
- the lack of a keep-alive message for a period of a predetermined length (e.g., 13 seconds) can be considered a shutdown message.
- each of the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) has an input line for synchronization (e.g., sync-in) and an output line for synchronization (e.g., sync-out).
- the sync-out (e.g., 123 ) of a transmitter (e.g., 101 ) can be connected ( 125 ) to the sync-in (e.g., 127 ) of another transmitter (e.g., 103 ) so that the transmission periods of the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . .
- the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) can be coordinated in phase if they transmit at the same time, or coordinated by taking turns in transmitting.
- One of the transmitters can function as a master transmitter that does not receive an input in its sync-in terminal ( 121 ). Its sync-out terminal ( 123 ) is connected ( 125 ) to the sync-in terminal ( 127 ) of the next transmitter (e.g., 103 ); the sync-out terminal ( 129 ) of the next transmitter (e.g., 103 ) can be connected to the sync-in terminal of a further transmitter.
- slave transmitters can be daisy chained and/or connected in parallel.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary transmitter ( 101 ) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the transmitter ( 101 ) of FIG. 2 can be used to implement each of the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 ) in the system of FIG. 2 .
- the transmitter ( 101 ) of FIG. 2 includes an oscillator ( 210 ) for generating a clock signal which is supplied to a frequency synthesizer ( 220 ). The clock signal is then modulated to generate a first signal ( 141 ) to be induced to the first DC power line ( 131 ).
- the transmitter ( 101 ) also includes a controller ( 240 ) controls timing of the first signal ( 141 ).
- the controller ( 101 ) has an input terminal ( 121 ) and an output terminal ( 123 ).
- the input terminal ( 121 ) receives a timing signal for controlling the first signal ( 141 ).
- the output terminal ( 123 ) exemplarily passes through the timing signal to the next transmitter ( 103 ) as shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 3 A and 3 B show timing diagrams of two of the transmitters ( 101 and 103 ) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- transmitter A ( 101 ) and transmitter B ( 103 ) are to transmit the same message (e.g., Keep-alive)
- the sync-out and sync-in signals passed from transmitter A ( 101 ) to the transmitter B ( 103 ) over the connection 125 can cause their transmission of the message in substantially overlapped time windows ( 310 and 320 ) for a duration of T 1 .
- the Keep-alive message can be repeated in substantially overlapped time windows to prevent the Local Management Units in the panel groups ( 111 and 113 ), connected to the respective power lines ( 131 and 133 ) from shutting the panel groups ( 111 and 113 ).
- the master transmitter ( 101 ) when the master transmitter ( 101 ) starts a transmission period ( 310 ) containing signals ( 141 ) for its keep-alive message on the DC power line ( 131 ), it also provides a timing signal from its sync-out terminal ( 123 ) to the sync-in terminal ( 127 ) of the next transmitter ( 103 ), causing the next transmitter ( 103 ) to start its transmission period ( 320 ) containing signals for its keep-alive message on the DC power line ( 133 ) such that the timing and phase of the keep-alive messages are substantially in synchronization with each other. Therefore, potential crosstalk among the DC power lines ( 131 and 133 ) does not degrade the signals and/or interfere with each other.
- next transmitter ( 103 ) can provide sync-out signal to control the timing or phase of a further transmitter ( 105 ) for synchronization.
- cascading signals inevitably causes delay, the aforementioned transmissions are substantially or sufficiently coordinated, e.g., in substantially the same time, so that the messages are not corrupted even when there is crosstalk between the power lines ( 131 , 133 , 135 ) and thus the transmitted signals/message can be correctly received by the Local Management Units in the photovoltaic panel groups ( 111 , 113 and 115 ).
- the timing signals provided through the sync-out to sync-in connection can be used to schedule different messages in different time windows relative to the timing signals.
- the synchronization signal transmitted from the connection can have a rising edge representing the start of the time window ( 310 ) of its Keep-alive message (or another message) and a falling edge ( 313 ) representing the end of the time window ( 310 ); and a slave transmitter ( 103 ) can be configured to start the time window ( 330 ) of transmission a different message (e.g., Shutdown message) in response to the falling edge ( 313 ) of the synchronization signal it receives at its sync-in terminal ( 127 ) from its master transmitter ( 101 ) that provides the synchronization signal on its sync-out terminal ( 123 ) over the connection ( 125 ).
- a different message e.g., Shutdown message
- the transmitter ( 103 ) Based on its transmission time window ( 330 ), the transmitter ( 103 ) generates its synchronization signal on its sync-out terminal ( 129 ), with a rising edge ( 334 ) to indicate the start of its transmission time window ( 330 ) and a falling edge to indicate the end of the time window ( 330 ).
- a transmission time duration T 2 for transmitter B ( 103 ) has no overlap with the transmission time duration T 1 for transmitter A ( 101 ).
- transmission by transmitter B ( 103 ) a message different from the message of transmitter A ( 101 ) does not corrupt the message of transmitter A ( 101 ), even when there is crosstalk between the power lines 131 and 133 .
- the falling edge ( 313 ) of the sync-in signal of the time window ( 310 ) of transmitter A ( 101 ) triggers a rising edge ( 334 ) of the sync-in signal ( 330 ) of transmitter B ( 103 ). This arrangement causes the transmitters to automatically cascade their transmissions like dominos or synchronized swimmers jumping into a pool.
- the timing signals in the sync-out to sync-in connections can be used to indicate the timing for the transmission of keep-alive message.
- the transmission period can start with a predetermined offset from the transmission period of the keep-alive message to avoid potential interference due to crosstalk.
- the sync-out to sync-in connections of the transmitters can be configured in a daisy chain configuration or a star configuration.
- the timing signal in a connection (e.g., 125 ) from a sync-out terminal ( 123 ) of a master transmitter (e.g., 101 ) to a sync-in terminal ( 127 ) of a slave transmitter (e.g., 103 ) can be the envelope profile signal of transmissions generated by the master transmitter (e.g., 101 ), or a signal with a predetermined time relation to the envelope profile signal (e.g., rising edge, falling edge, levels, etc.) of transmissions generated by the master transmitter (e.g., 101 ), or a synchronization signal with a dynamically or predetermined time relation with a rising or falling edge of the synchronization signal.
- an additional reference frequency can be included for phase locking oscillators between transmitters; and the slave transmitter is configured to phase lock with the reference frequency.
- the timing signal includes a copy of the signals transmitted by the master transmitter (e.g., 101 ) over its power line (e.g., 131 ); and the slave transmitter (e.g., 103 ) can re-transmit the signals on its power line (e.g., 133 ) to provide the same message.
- the slave can also simply re-transmit the master's signal without any timing adjustment (e.g., the slave functions as an analog amplifier for the master's transmission to Local management Units (LUMs) and/or relaying any synchronization signals to other slaves).
- LUMs Local management Units
- the timing signal includes a copy of the transmitter's unmodulated message (e.g., 101 ); and the slave transmitter (e.g., 103 ) can optionally delay or replace the unmodulated message for modulation and transmission at a predetermined time window by providing its own different modulated message, or the master's modulated message.
- the slave transmitter e.g., 103
- the slave transmitter (e.g., 103 ) can generate separate sync-out signals in response to its received sync-in signals.
- the slave transmitter (e.g., 103 ) amplifies its received sync-in signals and provides the amplified sync-in signals at its sync-out terminal. Re-transmission of the received sync-in signals can be performed to reduce propagation delay of generating a separate sync signal.
- digital signals can be used for synchronization, which can be regenerated, then transmitted without amplification.
- the slave transmitter (e.g., 103 ) can be configured to adjust its timing for every transmission period, or a predetermined number of transmission periods, after it senses a periodic sync signal and dynamically determines that it is a slave transmitter.
- a slave transmitter can be hard configured to be a slave transmitter.
- FIG. 1 illustrates the synchronization/coordination of transmission time periods using sync-out to sync-in connections (e.g., 125 ).
- sync-out to sync-in connections e.g., 125
- synchronization/coordination can be implemented without any timing signals being transmitted via sync-out and sync-in terminals.
- a transmitter can dynamically detect a modulated PLC message transmitted on the power line ( 131 ).
- the transmitter e.g., 101
- the transmitter can listen to the power line for signals that are not transmitted by the transmitter (e.g., 101 ). If a signal is detected, the transmitter (e.g., 101 ) can use the detected signal as a timing signal to re-calibrate its timing schedule for transmitting message. If no signal is detected, the transmitter (e.g., 101 ) sends its message without adjusting its transmission timing.
- the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) can listen to their respective power lines ( 131 , 133 , 135 , . . . ) for silence and randomly decide to start transmission of their messages.
- the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) further listen to their respective power lines ( 131 , 133 , 135 , . . . ) for crosstalk from out of sync transmissions of other messages. If messages from other transmitters are detected, the transmitters ( 101 , 103 , 105 , . . . ) adjust their respective transmission timing for synchronization with other transmitters.
- synchronization can be achieved after a number of iterations; and the transmission of other messages can be scheduled relative to the timing of other messages.
- the sync-in and sync-out terminals can be eliminated. Transmission collision can occasionally happen when two or more transmitters detect silence and decide to transmit at the same time. This is tolerable provided that collisions don't happen frequent enough to trigger the watchdog in a Local Management Unit (LMU) from shutting down a photovoltaic panel.
- LMU Local Management Unit
- the transmission timing of a transmitter can be adjusted via resetting the frequency synthesizer of the transmitter.
- the frequency of the oscillator or phase locked intermediate frequency in a transmitter for synthesis of the frequencies for S-FSK modulation of message data should be at least two orders of magnitude higher or be phase locked to each other for the S-FSK frequencies to achieve acceptable phase differences for simultaneous transmissions.
- a timing signal received in the sync-in terminal can be used to reset the frequency synthesizer and the modulator that controls the transmission state at a predetermined time of the transmission cycle. Such a reset operation can be adequate to synchronize the transmitters within a few degrees of phase.
- a slave transmitter can be configured to indicate that it is in a slave mode via LED or another user interface element.
- a slave transmitter can be configured to count the timing signal received in its sync-in terminal. If a slave ceases to count the arrival of the timing signal at its sync-in terminal at a predetermined and proper frequency, either by design or through failure, the slave can assume the role of a master transmitter to generate its sync-out signals to control other slave transmitters.
- a master transmitter can be configured to indicate that it is in a master mode via LED or some other means.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a system operation according to embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the method illustrated in FIG. 4 can be implemented in the system of FIG. 1 , with each transmitter implemented in a way as illustrated in FIG. 2 to synchronize time windows of their message transmissions in timing illustrated in FIGS. 3 A and 3 B .
- Each transmitter e.g., 101
- Each transmitter can be configured as a module usable to remote control the operations of a solar panel group (e.g., 111 ) by generating and sending messages (e.g., Keep-alive, Shutdown).
- the sync-in and sync-out terminals of the modules/transmitters can be connected (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1 , in a chain configuration, or a star configuration)
- a first module (e.g., transmitter 103 ) generates a clock signal by an oscillator enclosed in a housing of the first module.
- a first signal is generated, by a modulator ( 230 ) using the clock signal, to be transmitted into a first DC power line (e.g., 133 ).
- the first module (e.g., transmitter 103 ) determines a timing signal (e.g., an envelope signal of a second signal for sending a message in a time window ( 310 )) from a second module (e.g., transmitter 101 ) having a separate oscillator ( 210 ) enclosed within a housing of the second module.
- the first module controls, based on the timing signal, timing of the first signal (e.g., transmitted in a timing window ( 320 or 330 )) in synchronization with a second signal transmitted by the second module (e.g., in the timing window ( 310 )) into a second DC power line (e.g., 131 ).
- a second DC power line e.g., 131
- the second DC power line e.g., 131
- crosstalk between the lines ( 131 and 133 ) do not corrupt the first and second signals.
- each slave transmitter can be given a time slot to transmit a message, either repeated or unique.
- the timeslots are relatively based on the transmission a timing signal or beacon of the master transmitter.
- the time slots can be assigned by the master, or they can be self-assigned by switches on the slaves or “initial” timing of falling edges of slaves.
- the techniques discussed above can provide scalability and increase the reliability of signals transmitted via power lines by a Rapid Shutdown System (RSS) for an array of photovoltaic panels.
- RSS Rapid Shutdown System
Abstract
Description
Claims (14)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/225,885 US11973350B2 (en) | 2020-04-10 | 2021-04-08 | Synchronization of signals transmitted over power lines |
US17/961,980 US20230033108A1 (en) | 2020-04-10 | 2022-10-07 | Solar Panel Transmitter and Signal Synchronization |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202063008438P | 2020-04-10 | 2020-04-10 | |
US17/225,885 US11973350B2 (en) | 2020-04-10 | 2021-04-08 | Synchronization of signals transmitted over power lines |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/961,980 Continuation-In-Part US20230033108A1 (en) | 2020-04-10 | 2022-10-07 | Solar Panel Transmitter and Signal Synchronization |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210320500A1 US20210320500A1 (en) | 2021-10-14 |
US11973350B2 true US11973350B2 (en) | 2024-04-30 |
Family
ID=78007151
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/225,885 Active 2042-07-22 US11973350B2 (en) | 2020-04-10 | 2021-04-08 | Synchronization of signals transmitted over power lines |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US11973350B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN117856824A (en) * | 2022-10-07 | 2024-04-09 | 迭戈能源有限公司 | Solar panel transmitter and signal synchronization |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7142501B1 (en) * | 2001-12-26 | 2006-11-28 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for eliminating near-end crosstalk in a digital subscriber line system |
US20070171820A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-07-26 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus, method, and program |
US20150215059A1 (en) * | 2012-07-27 | 2015-07-30 | Assia, Inc. | Management system and methods of managing time-division duplex (tdd) transmission over copper |
US20190080346A1 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2019-03-14 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Pairing of Components in a Direct Current Distributed Power Generation System |
-
2021
- 2021-04-08 US US17/225,885 patent/US11973350B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7142501B1 (en) * | 2001-12-26 | 2006-11-28 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for eliminating near-end crosstalk in a digital subscriber line system |
US20070171820A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-07-26 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus, method, and program |
US20190080346A1 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2019-03-14 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Pairing of Components in a Direct Current Distributed Power Generation System |
US20150215059A1 (en) * | 2012-07-27 | 2015-07-30 | Assia, Inc. | Management system and methods of managing time-division duplex (tdd) transmission over copper |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20210320500A1 (en) | 2021-10-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0526388B1 (en) | Radio communication system wherein transceivers retransmit messages in synchronism | |
CN101688913B (en) | Method for determining line-of-sight (los) distance between remote communications devices | |
CN100384111C (en) | Wireless communication equipment and method having harmonized primary and secondary transmitters | |
CN103391114B (en) | The quick capturing method of frequency hopping communications in a kind of satellite communication | |
US11973350B2 (en) | Synchronization of signals transmitted over power lines | |
KR100487471B1 (en) | Asynchronous full duplex communications over a single channel | |
JP2001326626A (en) | Method for synchronization, module and program module | |
KR100201209B1 (en) | Telemeter telecontrol system | |
JP4353115B2 (en) | Isolated operation detection device, isolated operation detection method, and grid interconnection system | |
CN102696266A (en) | Wireless base station, transmission method, and program | |
EP4351023A1 (en) | Solar panel transmitter and signal synchronization | |
US20230033108A1 (en) | Solar Panel Transmitter and Signal Synchronization | |
RU2311734C1 (en) | Broadband receiving-transmitting device | |
JP3393059B2 (en) | Method for unidirectional communication from multiple transmitters to a single receiver | |
KR100300084B1 (en) | Apparatus for clock generating of base station modem in mobile communication system | |
JP2538682B2 (en) | Reference clock source automatic switching method | |
SU1075426A1 (en) | Communication system | |
CN115701696A (en) | Carrier modulation device | |
JPS5947534B2 (en) | Power line carrier control method for indoor loads | |
KR20010046952A (en) | Anti-jamming method | |
CN116032326A (en) | Signal control method suitable for photovoltaic equipment, electronic equipment and storage medium | |
JPH09148977A (en) | Radio communication system | |
JPH05191370A (en) | Burst signal demodulator and demodulation control method | |
JPS5836041A (en) | Interference prevention system for time division multidirectional multiplex communication | |
JPS60106235A (en) | Nonbreak clock timing control system of satellite communication system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SMAL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TIGO ENERGY, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:EIZIPS, DANIEL;KONDRASHOV, SERGEY;SANDERS, JEFFREY;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20210326 TO 20210402;REEL/FRAME:058604/0331 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NEWLIGHT CAPITAL LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TIGO ENERGY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:058755/0516 Effective date: 20220118 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TIGO ENERGY, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNORS:NEWLIGHT CAPITAL LLC;UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE;REEL/FRAME:062821/0250 Effective date: 20230210 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS |
|
ZAAB | Notice of allowance mailed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: MN/=. |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT VERIFIED |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |